Information and Resources to help you navigate Covid-19
We here at US Harbors are collecting all the information we can to help you through these strange times.
The situation around the country, and the world, is changing at a rapid rate. We endeavor to keep our information up to date and relevant. Please be aware that regulations do vary from state to state. You can find all our Covid-19 related news under this tag /covid-19
Is Boating a Safe Social Distancing Activity?
In most circumstances, boating is a safe activity in terms of limiting infection. Please be aware of the specific rules at the local marina or town boat ramp – getting into the water can be the most high risk part of the boating trip, depending on how busy the boat launch area is. Please also take into consideration who accompanies you on your boat. It is advised to limit boat passengers to those already in your household. Some states have a limit on the number of people allowed on a boat.
Once out on the water, maintain distance from other boats, and be extra vigilant of those in the water around you. Boaters, as a type, are generally very safety conscious, and that attitude is just as important now as it ever is. Every prevented accident is one less thing that our brave key workers have tackle – keeping the resources available to deal with the covid-19 pandemic.
More rules, tips and advice can be found here: Must-Know Rules for 2020 Summer Boating During COVID 19
Where Can I Go Boating?
What Boat Ramps are Open in My Area?
What events are still going on?
Many events have been cancelled to limit spread of the coronavirus. Some are able to transition to a virtual. online version of the event, and some are postponed till later in the year, or the following year altogether. We are still posting events on our site, however we encourage you to check directly with the organizer before attending. You can see all the events here: usharbors.com/event-listings/
Help for Coastal Businesses
We are posting updates from any and all coastal business, organization or local authority. If you want to get word out to boaters in your area, you can submit news for our weekly update here: usharbors.com/supporting-our-coastal-businesses/
Health & Safety Filter
A Year in the Life of Larry the Whale Shark
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. One year ago today, researchers deployed a satellite tag on a whale shark off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida. They never could have anticipated the epic journey that would ensue. On May 28, 2025, researchers set out from Boca Ciega Bay, Florida, heading into the Gulf… SEE MORE
The Ocean's Most Abundant Fish Evolved in Extreme Heat — and That May Be Good News
By Daniel Hentz, whoi.edu. The most numerous fish in the ocean isn’t one most boaters or anglers will ever see. Bristlemouths — tiny, deep-dwelling fish of the genus Cyclothone — number in the quadrillions and play a major role in the ocean’s biological carbon pump, helping move CO₂ from the… SEE MORE
The Container Ship That's Also an Ocean Science Lab
By Amy E. Nevala, whoi.edu. Some of the most valuable ocean data in the Atlantic isn’t being collected by a research vessel — it’s riding aboard a container ship. The M/V Oleander, which makes twice-weekly cargo runs between Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Hamilton, Bermuda, has carried scientific instruments since… SEE MORE
New England Fishery Management: Backed by Science, Shaped by People
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. One of New England’s most iconic sights: Rain or shine, fishing boats slipping out of the harbor at dawn, just as they have for generations. The centuries-old scene feels timeless. But the industry behind it isn’t sustained by tradition alone; it endures because of science-based management. At… SEE MORE
NOAA Sargassum Tool Now Provides Daily Update of Risk of Seaweed Washing up on Beaches
By research.noaa.gov, research.noaa.gov. Upgrade will help communities anticipate impacts, risks, and supports planning and response. NOAA’s Sargassum Inundation Risk tool (SIR) has been upgraded to offer daily reports on the location and risk that brown floating algae could wash ashore along coastal areas in the Caribbean, Florida, Gulf of America, and northern… SEE MORE
Three Ocean Robots Exploring Active Underwater Volcanoes
By Amelia Macapia, whoi.edu. The ocean floor is home to thousands of volcanoes — many of them active — and understanding what’s happening down there requires machines that can go where humans can’t. A new feature from WHOI’s Oceanus magazine profiles three robotic vehicles that are transforming what scientists know… SEE MORE
Magnuson-Stevens Act at 50: Charting a Course to Sustainable Fisheries
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. This landmark legislation set the United States on track to become a world leader in sustainable fisheries management. In April, we celebrated the 50 years since the United States signed the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This landmark law set the United States on a course toward sustainably and cooperatively managed marine… SEE MORE
Breaking Barriers to “Big Earth Data”
By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. Dr. Elizabeth “Eli” Holmes received the prestigious Earth Science Information Partners Martha Maiden 2026 Award in January. Dr. Holmes’ 25-year career at NOAA Fisheries demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing open science, fostering collaboration across agencies, and inspiring the next generation of scientists. At NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Dr.… SEE MORE
